The Programme for Scotland’s Childminding future (PSCF) has reached an important milestone as the 250th new childminding business is registered in Scotland.
250 new childminders have so far been supported into employment and completed Care Inspectorate registration, with this number expected to continue to rise as a further 245 continue to work towards it, and a strong pipeline of interest in becoming a childminder continues.
Since the programme launched in 2024, it has supported over 730 candidates with childminder induction training.
The opportunity to become a childminder is creating local employment opportunities for parents and crucially, these new businesses have the potential to create almost 3415 vital new childcare spaces for children and their families across the country.
PSCF is also supporting parents to take their first steps towards a flexible new career in childminding, with early data showing 93% of new candidates coming into workforce with support from the Programme for Scotland’s Childminding Future are parents.
The childminding workforce recruitment drive is supporting an accessible route into self-employment for parents all across Scotland, combining their passion for being there for their own children with a sustainable income, rewarding career, and building a business that works around family life.
Early data shows 23% of new childminders registered through the programme as previously unemployed, which means the PSCF is not only helping to address the urgent need for more flexible childcare across Scotland – it’s also providing the opportunity for establishing a new business, develop new skills and move into sustainable employment.
PSCF launched in 2024 as a three-year national recruitment and retention initiative, initially with 17 participating areas. Delivered by the Scottish Childminding Association (SCMA), it was backed by a further £1.37 million from the Scottish Government for 2026-27. Now in its third year, PSCF has scaled up to include participation of all 32 of Scotland’s local authorities have chosen to partner with SCMA for our team to deliver our supported childminder recruitment model in their area, recognising the value this is providing for urban, rural and island communities.
Childminders come into the workforce with a valuable range of life experience and skills. While many may have worked with children in other settings such as schools or nurseries previously, many have entirely different and valuable life experience that can be transferred into a new role as a childminder. All should be passionate about working with children and supporting their learning and development and confident they can provide a safe, nurturing, supportive environment for children within their setting.
Ethan McLean is a new childminder who set up a thriving new childminding business in Livingston, West Lothian. A former police officer, Ethan took a career break after leaving the force. When he decided he’d like to get back into work, he has become one of three male childminders to join the workforce with support from the PSCF.
Previously a stay-at-home dad, Ethan loves being there for all the milestones and wanted to combine supporting his own family with this new business venture. He realised it opened up the perfect opportunity to work flexible hours, earn an income, expand his skill set and embark on a whole new career path supporting children and families in his area. He was very much encouraged by other childminders and decided to go for it. He now works four days per week childminding primarily for pre-school age children.
“I love that I don’t have to pick between spending time with my daughter or earning an income. I’ve embarked on this fantastic career which helps me combine the two. There’s so much more to childminding than people realise but the very best bit is supporting the children in my setting to find their place in the world, helping them learn and play and develop new skills and seeing how happy and content they are.
“Everyone has been really encouraging, I think more men should consider childminding as a viable career path in their area, they would have so much to offer children.”
PSCF also reaches a significant milestone this month, with the 250th childminder to register a childminding business with the Care Inspectorate setting up her business.
Hayley McCallum, 50, is the 250th new childminding business to register through the Programme for Scotland’s Childminding Future and will soon be opening ‘Squiggles & Giggles Childminding’ in Prestwick, South Ayrshire.
“I am so delighted to be registered as a new childminder, it’s something I have wanted to do for a while, but when I found out about the package of support available, I knew there was no time like right now to get started. I want to provide the kind of childcare service I’d always wanted and expected for my own children when I was working and needed childcare.
“I’ve worked all different jobs, full time, part time, sometimes working nights or two jobs. Being a childminder means I will get to set my own hours. It’s just so nice to have my own business I can grow and develop, and something that works flexibly for me and my own children. The support from the Scottish Childminding Association throughout was brilliant and really guided me through every stage.”
Candidates receive a package of support designed to help them move into and establish themselves in self-employment, including a minimum £750 start-up grant funded by the Scottish Government, training and one-to-one support from a dedicated SCMA workforce officer. This dedicated support helps candidates navigate the practical steps involved in setting up a childminding business, from training and registration through to establishing their childminding setting.
Graeme McAlister, Chief Executive, SCMA, said: “We are delighted to see the 250th candidate supported into employment and completing registration as a new childminder. SCMA is committed to leading nationally on the development of a sustainable childminding workforce. The Programme for Scotland’s Childminding Future is having a really positive impact not only in helping to create a practical solution for working parents by recruiting more childminders, but also by opening up new routes into self-employment for parents themselves who are seeking a new, flexible career that supports their own family life too.
“Through the PSCF, candidates receive practical, financial and one-to-one support to help them turn that opportunity into a viable business. The fact that almost a quarter of new childminders recruited through the programme were previously unemployed demonstrates the potential of childminding as a genuine route into work and self-employment.”
Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise, Siobhian Brown MSP, said: “I am delighted that the Scottish Government is supporting the Programme for Scotland’s Childminding Future this year.
“Childminders are a valued part of Scotland’s childcare sector and play a key role supporting children, families and the wider economy.
“I’d like to thank the SCMA and participating local authorities for their efforts ensuring the programme reaches every part of Scotland, and for helping to increase access to childminding across the country.”
Those interested in exploring childminding as a route into self-employment can
submit an enquiry through the website.
Online
Discover Childminding sessions taking place this September provide an opportunity to meet SCMA’s childminding experts and find out more about getting started, with the sessions helping to engage potential new recruits from communities across Scotland.
Read more about Ethan McLean's journey to becoming a childminder here